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| PA Civil War > Medal of Honor > Philadelphia County |
PA Civil War Medal of Honor RecipientsThe Medal of Honor, established by joint resolution of Congress, 12 July 1862 is awarded in the name of Congress to a person who, while a member of the Armed Services, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of service is exacted and each recommendation for award of this decoration is considered on the standard of extraordinary merit. A large percent of Medal of Honor recipients were awarded for action involving flags.Philadelphia County, PennsylvaniaNOTE: An asterisk (*) denotes a posthumous award. PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, PABAKER, CHARLES B.: Born 1809, died August 6, 1891. Philadelphia. While serving as a Quarter Gunner on board the "USS Metacomet" during the August 1864 storming of Mobile Bay, he was a member of the party that braved intense fire to rescue the survivors of the torpedoed monitor "USS Tecumseh." He was awarded his Medal of Honor for that brave act in 1866, and is buried in the Naval Asylum Plot of the Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pa. BENYAURD, WILLIAM H. H.: Philadelphia, First Lieutenant, Engineers. Five Forks, Va., 1 April 1865. Citation given: 7 September 1897. With one companion, voluntarily advanced in a reconnaissance beyond the skirmishers, where he was exposed to imminent peril; also, in the same battle, rode to the front with the commanding general to encourage wavering troops to resume the advance, which they did successfully. BINDER, RICHARD: Philadelphia, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. On board the U.S.S. Ticonderoga during the attacks on Fort Fisher, 24 and 25 December 1864, and 13 to 15 January 1865. Citation given: Despite heavy return fire by the enemy and the explosion of the 100-pounder Parrott rifle which killed eight men and wounded 12 more, Sgt. Binder, as captain of a gun, performed his duties with skill and courage during the first two days of battle. As his ship again took position on the 13th, he remained steadfast as the Ticonderoga maintained a well-placed fire upon the batteries on shore, and thereafter, as she materially lessened the power of guns on the mound which had been turned upon our assaulting columns. During this action the flag was planted on one of the strongest fortifications possessed by the rebels. Born July 26, 1839, died Feb. 26, 1912, buried West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, PA. BINGHAM, HENRY HARRISON.: Born December 4, 1851, died March 12, 1912. Philadelphia, Captain, Company G, 140th Pennsylvania Infantry. Wilderness, Va., 6 May 1864. Citation given: 31 August 1893. Rallied and led into action a portion of the troops who had given way under the fierce assaults of the enemy. Bingham, Henry Harrison b. December 4, 1841. d. March 12, 1912. Bingham's permanent rank was Colonel, but he was breveted as a Brigadier General. Bingham is buried in Section "Y," Lot 105 in the Laurel Hill Cemetery, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. BOURKE, JOHN G.: Philadelphia, Private, Company E, 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Stone River, Tenn., 31 December 1862 to 1 January 1863. Citation given: 16 November 1887, for gallantry in action. BRAZELL, JOHN: Philadelphia, Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Aboard USS Richmond in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Citation given: 31 December 1864. Served on board the U.S.S. Richmond in the action at Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864, where he was recommended for coolness and good conduct as a gun captain during that engagement which resulted in the capture of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the destruction of Fort Morgan. Brazell served gallantly throughout the actions with Forts Jackson and St. Philip, the Chalmettes, batteries below Vicksburg, and was present at the surrender of New Orleans while on board the U.S.S. BRUTSCHE, HENRY: Philadelphia, Landsman, U.S. Navy. Aboard USS Tacony at Plymouth, NC, 31 October 1864. Citation given: 31 December 1864. Served on board the U.S.S. Tacony during the taking of Plymouth, N.C., 31 October 1864. Carrying out his duties faithfully during the capture of Plymouth, Brutsche distinguished himself by a display of coolness when he participated in landing and spiking a 9-inch gun while under a devastating fire from enemy musketry. CLARK, JAMES G.: Germantown, Private, Company F, 88th Pennsylvania Infantry. Petersburg, Va., 18 June 1864. Citation given: 30 April 1892. Distinguished bravery in action; was severely wounded. CLAUSEN, CHARLES H.: Born September 22, 1842. Died August 15, 1922. Philadelphia, First lieutenant, Company H, 61st Pennsylvania Infantry. Spotsylvania, Va., 12 May 1864. Citation given: 25 June 1892. Although severely wounded, he led the regiment against the enemy, under a terrific fire, and saved a battery from capture. Clausen is buried in an unmarked grave in the Mount Peace Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pa. CLAY, CECIL: Philadelphia, Captain, Company K, 58th Pennsylvania Infantry.. Fort Harrison, Va., 29 September 1864. Citation given: 19 April 1892. Led his regiment in the charge, carrying the colors of another regiment, and when severely wounded in the right arm, incurring loss of same, he shifted the colors to the left hand, which also became disabled by a gunshot wound. CLOPP, JOHN E.: Philadelphia, Private, Company F, 71st Pennsylvania Infantry. Gettysburg, Pa., 3 July 1863. Citation given: 2 February 1865. Capture of flag of 9th Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.), wresting it from the color bearer. CONNER, RICHARD: Philadelphia, Private, Company F, 6th New Jersey Infantry. Bull Run, Va., 30 August 1862. Citation given: 17 September 1897. The flag of his regiment having been abandoned during retreat, he voluntarily returned with a single companion under a heavy fire and secured and brought off the flag, his companion being killed. CRIPPS, THOMAS: Philadelphia, Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Aboard U.S.S. Richmond, 5 August 1864. Citation given: 31 December 1864. As captain of a gun on board the U.S.S. Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, Cripps fought his gun with skill and courage throughout a furious two hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan. FASSETT, JOHN B.: Philadelphia, Captain, Company F, 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry.. Gettysburg, Pa., 2 July 1863. Citation given: 29 December 1894. While acting as an aide, voluntarily led a regiment to the relief of a battery and recaptured its guns from the enemy. FISHER, JOSEPH: Philadelphia, Corporal, Company C, 61st Pennsylvania Infantry. Petersburg, Va., 2 April 1865. Citation given: 16 January 1894. Carried the colors 50 yards in advance of his regiment, and after being painfully wounded attempted to crawl into the enemy's works in an endeavor to plant his flag thereon. FOX, WILLIAM R.: Philadelphia, Private, Company A, 95th Pennsylvania Infantry.. Petersburg, Va., 2 April 1865. Citation given: 28 March 1879. Bravely assisted in the capture of one of the enemy's guns; with the first troops to enter the city, captured the flag of the Confederate customhouse. GALLOWAY, GEORGE NORTON: Philadelphia, Private, Company G, 95th Pennsylvania Infantry.. Alsops Farm, Va., 8 May 1864. Citation given: 24 October 1895. Voluntarily held an important position under heavy fire. Born 1841, died February 9, 1904, buried Mount Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA. GALLOWAY, JOHN: Philadelphia, Commissary Sergeant, 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry.. Farmville, Va., 7 April 1865. Citation given: 30 October 1897. His regiment being surprised and nearly overwhelmed, he dashed forward under a heavy fire, reached the right of the regiment, where the danger was greatest, rallied the men and prevented a disaster that was imminent. Died May 23, 1904, buried Mount Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA. GILLIGAN, EDWARD L.: Philadelphia, First Sergeant, Company E, 88th Pennsylvania Infantry. Gettysburg, Pa., 1 July 1863. Citation given: 30 April 1892. Assisted in the capture of a Confederate flag by knocking down the color sergeant. GOODMAN, WILLIAM E.: Philadelphia, First Lieutenant, Company D, 147th Pennsylvania Infantry. Chancellorsville, Va., 3 May 1863. Citation given: 11 January 1894. Rescued the colors of the 107th Ohio Volunteers from the enemy. GRAY, ROBERT A.: Philadelphia, Sergeant, Company C, 21st Connecticut Infantry. Drury's Bluff, Va., 16 May 1864. Citation given: 13 July 1897. While retreating with his regiment, which had been repulsed, he voluntarily returned, in face of the enemy's fire, to a former position and rescued a wounded officer of his company who was unable to walk. HAFFEE, EDMUND: Philadelphia, Quarter Gunner, U.S. Navy. Aboard USS New Ironsides at Fort Fisher, 24 and 25 December 1864 and 13, 14 and 15 January 1865. Citation given: 22 June 1865. Haffee served on board the U.S.S. New Ironsides during action in several attacks on Fort Fisher, 24 and 25 December 1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865. The ship steamed in and took the lead in the ironclad division close inshore, and immediately opened its starboard battery in a barrage of well-directed fire to cause several fires and explosions and dismount several guns during the first two days of fighting. Taken under fire, as she steamed into position on 13 January, the New Ironsides fought all day and took on ammunition at night despite severe weather conditions. When the enemy came out of his bombproof to defend the fort against the storming party, the ship's battery disabled nearly every gun on the fort facing the shore before the cease-fire orders were given by the flagship. HAMILTON, RICHARD: Philadelphia, Coal Heaver, U.S. Navy. Aboard U.S. Picket Boat No. 1, 27 December 1864. Citation given: 31 December 1864. Hamilton served on board the U.S. Picket Boat No. 1, in action, 27 October 1864, against the Confederate ram Albemarle which had resisted repeated attacks by our steamers and had kept a large force of vessels employed in watching her. The picket boat, equipped with a spar torpedo, succeeded in passing the enemy pickets within 20 yards without being discovered and then made for the Albemarle under a full head of steam. Immediately taken under fire by the ram, the small boat plunged on, jumped the log boom which encircled the target and exploded its torpedo under the port bow of the ram. The picket boat was destroyed by enemy fire and almost the entire crew taken prisoner or lost. JOHN (THOMAS) HAYES: Philadelphia, Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Aboard USS Kearsarge 19 June 1864. Citation given: 31 December 1864. Served on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as second captain of the No. 2 gun during this bitter engagement, Hayes exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by the divisional officer. HUNTERSON, JOHN C.: Philadelphia, Private, Company B, 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry. On the Peninsula of Va., 5 June 1862. Citation given: 2 August 1897. While under fire, between the lines of the 2 armies, voluntarily gave up his own horse to an engineer officer whom he was accompanying on a reconnaissance and whose horse had been killed, thus enabling the officer to escape with valuable papers in his possession. JONES, WILLIAM: Philadelphia, Captain of the Top, U.S. Navy. Aboard USS Richmond in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Citation given: 31 December 1864. As captain of a gun on board the U.S.S. Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, Jones fought his gun with skill and courage throughout the prolonged battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan. MOORE, GEORGE: Philadelphia, Seaman, U.S. Navy. Aboard USS Rhode Island, 30 December 1862. Citation given: 22 June 1865. Served on board the U.S.S. Rhode Island which was engaged in saving the lives of the officers and crew of the Monitor, 30 December 1862. Participating in the hazardous task of rescuing the officers and crew of the sinking Monitor, Moore after rescuing several of the men, became separated in a heavy gale with other members of the cutter that had set out from the Rhode Island, and spent many hours in the small boat at the mercy of the weather and high seas until finally picked up by a schooner 50 miles east of Cape Hatteras. MORRIS, WILLIAM: Philadelphia, Sergeant, Company C, 1st New York (Lincoln) Cavalry. Sailors Creek, Va., 6 April 1865. Citation given: 3 May 1865. Capture of flag of 40th Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.). MURPHY, DANIEL J.: Philadelphia, Sergeant, Company F, 19th Massachusetts Infantry. Hatchers Run, Va., 27 October 1864. Citation given: 1 December 1864. Capture of flag of 47th North Carolina Infantry (C.S.A.). MYERS, WILLIAM H.: Philadelphia, Pa. Private, Company A, 1st Maryland Cavalry. Appomattox Courthouse, Va., 9 April 1865. Citation given: 4 June 1871. Gallantry in action; was 5 times wounded. ORR, ROBERT L.: Philadelphia, Major, 61st Pennsylvania Infantry. Petersburg, Va., 2 April 1865. Citation given: 28 November 1892. Carried the colors at the head of the column in the assault after two color bearers had been shot down. Born March 28, 1836 d. 1894, buried Lawnview Cemetery, Rockledge, Montgomery County, PA. ORTH, JACOB G.: Philadelphia, Corporal, Company D, 28th Pennsylvania Infantry. Antietam, Md., 17 September 1862. Citation given: 15 January 1867. Capture of flag of 7th South Carolina Infantry (C.S.A.), in hand-to-hand encounter, although he was wounded in the shoulder. PAUL, WILLIAM H.: Philadelphia, Private, Company E, 90th Pennsylvania Infantry. Antietam, Md., 17 September 1862. Citation given: 3 November 1896. Under a most withering and concentrated fire, voluntarily picked up the colors of his regiment, when the bearer and 2 of the color guard had been killed, and bore them aloft throughout the entire battle. PALMER, WILLIAM J.: Born in Leipsic, Kent County, Del. Colonel, 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Red Hill, Ala., 14 January 1865. Citation: 24 February 1894. With less than 200 men, attacked and defeated a superior force of the enemy, capturing their fieldpiece and about 100 prisoners without losing a man. According to Pat Palmer (great-niece-in-law of William Palmer), William Jackson Palmer's residence was the Rittenhouse Mansion, Arch and 7th Streets, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA (His brother Charles F. Palmer also volunteered.) His parents were John and Matilda (Jackson) Palmer who were Quakers. William J. was the founder of Fountain Springs (now known as Colorado Springs, Colorado); CF&I Steel, Colorado; Colorado College, Colorado Springs; he gifted a great deal of property to the city including the land for Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs. PRENDERGAST, THOMAS F.: Born April 2, 1871: died April 26, 1913, Philadelphia. Prendergast was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor while serving with the 8th Army Corps for distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy. He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but the exact location is unmarked. ROWAND, ARCHIBALD H., JR.: Philadelphia, Private, Company K, 1st West Virginia Cavalry. Northern Virginia, Winter of 1864-65. Citation given: 3 March 1873. Was one of two men who succeeded in getting through the enemy's lines with dispatches to Gen. Grant. (bio ) STOREY, JOHN H. R.: Philadelphia, Sergeant, Company F, 109th Pennsylvania Infantry.. Dallas, Ga., 28 May 1864. Citation given: 29 August 1896. While bringing in a wounded comrade, under a destructive fire, he was himself wounded in the right leg, which was amputated on the same day. TAYLOR, FORRESTER L.: Philadelphia, Captain, Company H, 23rd New Jersey Infantry. Chancellorsville. Va., 3 May 1863. Citation given: 2 November 1896. At great risk voluntarily saved the lives of and brought from the battlefield 2 wounded comrades. TAYLOR, WILLIAM G.: Philadelphia, Captain of the Forecastle, U.S. Navy. Aboard USS Ticonderoga at Fort Fisher, 25 and 25 December 1864. Citation given: 22 June 1865. On board the U.S.S. Ticonderoga during attacks on Fort Fisher, 24 and 25 December 1864. As captain of a gun, Taylor performed his duties with coolness and skill as his ship took position in the line of battle and delivered its fire on the batteries on shore. Despite the depressing effect caused when an explosion of the 100-pounder Parrott rifle killed 8 men and wounded 12 more, and the enemy's heavy return fire, he calmly remained at his station during the 2 days' operations. VANDERSLICE, JOHN M.: Philadelphia, Private, Company D, 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry.. Hatchers Run, Va., 6 February 1865. Citation given: 1 September 1893. Was the first man to reach the enemy's rifle pits, which were taken in the charge. VANTINE, JOSEPH E.: Philadelphia, First Class Fireman, U.S. Navy. Aboard USS Richmond at Port Hudson, 14 March 1863. Citation given: 10 July 1863. Serving on board the U.S.S. Richmond in the attack on Port Hudson, 14 March 1863. Damaged by a 6-inch solid rifle shot which shattered the starboard safety-valve chamber and also damaged the port safety valve, the fireroom of the Richmond immediately filled with steam to place it in an extremely critical condition. Acting courageously in this crisis, Vantine persisted in penetrating the steam-filled room in order to haul the hot fires of the furnaces and continued this action until the gravity of the situation had been lessened. WHITE, J. HENRY: Philadelphia, Private, Company A, 90th Pennsylvania Infantry. Rappahannock Station, Va., 23 August 1862. Citation given: 5 May 1900. At the imminent risk of his life, crawled to a nearby spring within the enemy's range and exposed to constant fire filled a large number of canteens, and returned in safety to the relief of his comrades who were suffering from want of water. WILLIAMS, ELWOOD N.: Philadelphia, Private, Company A, 28th Illinois Infantry. Shiloh, Tenn., 6 April 1862. Citation given: 28 September 1897. A box of ammunition having been abandoned between the lines, this soldier voluntarily went forward with one companion, under a heavy fire from both armies, secured the box, and delivered it within the line of his regiment, his companion being mortally wounded. WILSON, FRANCIS A.: Philadelphia, Corporal, Company B, 95th Pennsylvania Infantry.. Petersburg, Va., 2 April 1865. Citation given: 25 June 1880. Was among the first to penetrate the enemy's lines and himself captured a gun of the 2 batteries captured. Born 1840, died July 11, 1888, buried Mount Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA. WOODWARD, EVAN M.: Philadelphia, First Lieutenant and Adjutant, 2nd Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry. Fredericksburg, Va., 13 December 1862. Citation given: 14 December 1894. Advanced between the lines, demanded and received the surrender of the 19th Georgia Infantry and captured their battle flag. WRAY, WILLIAM J.: Philadelphia, Sergeant, Company K, 1st Veteran Reserve Corps. Fort Stevens, D.C., 12 July 1864. Citation given: 15 December 1892. Rallied the company at a critical moment during a change of position under fire. BLACKWOOD, WILLIAM R. D.: Philadelphia, born in Ireland. Surgeon, 48th Pennsylvania Infantry. Petersburg, Va., 2 April 1865. Citation given: July 1897. Removed severely wounded officers and soldiers from the field while under a heavy fire from the enemy, exposing himself beyond the call of duty, thus furnishing an example of most distinguished gallantry. COLLIS, CHARLES HENRY TUCKY: Philadelphia, born in Ireland. Colonel, 114th Pennsylvania Infantry. Fredericksburg, Va., 13 December 1862. Citation given: 10 March 1893. Gallantly led his regiment in battle at a critical moment. Born February 4, 1838 , died May 11, 1902, buried Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Adams County, PA. DOUGHERTY, MICHAEL: Philadelphia, born in Ireland. Private, Company B, 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry.. Jefferson, Va., 12 October 1863. Citation given: 23 January 1897. At the head of a detachment of his company dashed across an open field, exposed to a deadly fire from the enemy, and succeeded in dislodging them from an unoccupied house, which he and his comrades defended for several hours against repeated attacks, thus preventing the enemy from flanking the position of the Union forces. McADAMS, PETER: Philadelphia, born in Ireland. Corporal, Company A, 98th Pennsylvania Infantry. Salem Heights, Va., 3 May 1863. Citation given: 1 April 1898. Went 250 yards in front of his regiment toward the position of the enemy and under fire brought within the lines a wounded and unconscious comrade. McANALLY, CHARLES: Philadelphia, born in Ireland. Lieutenant, Company D, 69th Pennsylvania Infantry. Spotsylvania, Va., 12 May 1864. Citation given: 2 August 1897. In a hand-to-hand encounter with the enemy captured a flag, was wounded in the act, but continued on duty until he received a second wound. McKEEVER, MICHAEL: Philadelphia, born in Ireland. Private, Company K, 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Burnt Ordinary, Va., 19 January 1863. Citation given: 2 August 1897. Was one of a small scouting party that charged and routed a mounted force of the enemy six times their number. He led the charge in a most gallant and distinguished manner, going far beyond the call of duty. MINDIL, GEORGE W.: Philadelphia, born in Germany. Captain, Company I, 61st Pennsylvania Infantry. Williamsburg, Va., 5 May 1862. Citation given: 25 October 1893. As aide-de-camp led the charge with a part of a regiment, pierced the enemy's center, silenced some of his artillery, and, getting in his rear, caused him to abandon his position. MULHOLLAND, ST. CLAIR A: Philadelphia, born in Ireland. Major, 116th Pennsylvania Infantry. Chancellorsville, Va., 4 and 5 May 1863. Citation given: 26 March 1895. In command of the picket line held the enemy in check all night to cover the retreat of the Army. More about Philadelphia County in the Civil War Pennsylvania Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients: Adams County | Allegheny County | Beaver County | Bedford County | Berks County | Blair County | Bradford County | Bucks County | Butler County | Cambria County | Centre County | Chester County | Clarion County | Columbia County | Crawford County | Cubmerland County | Dauphin County | Delaware County | Erie County | Fayette County | Franklin County | Greene County | Huntingdon County | Indiana County | Juniata County | Lackawanna County | Lancaster County | Lawrence County | Lebanon County | Lehigh County | Luzerne County | Lycoming County | Mercer County | Mifflin County | Montgomery County | Northampton County | Northumberland County | Philadelphia County | Pike County | Schuylkill County | Somerset County | Sullivan County | Susquehanna County | Tioga County | Union County | Warren County | Washington County | Wayne County | Westmoreland County | York County | Unknown Counties |
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